Daily Mirror (Northern Ireland)
A GREAT TEAM TO BE PART OF
WOUNDED Northern Ireland captain Steven Davis is keen to keep the Green and White Army together for a charge at Euro 2020.
With question marks hanging over Michael O’neill and several senior players, it could be much altered landscape Davis steps back into in 2018.
Veterans Gareth Mcaukey (37) and Chris Brunt (33) could call time on national duty but Davis, who turns 33 himself in January, believes the manager g and squad should d be given time and space to make their own decisions.
But he hopes the bulk of the squad remains together for the new
Uefa Nations Cup and subsequent Euro qualifiers.
He said: “Obviously Michael and a few players have decisions to make and over time they will assess their futures.
“It’s a difficult decision for a few players but they need to take a little bit of time to assess things.
“It’s very difficult at this moment with emotions running so high but it is important we keep as many of the group together as possible because it is a great team to be part of.”
Davis was heartbroken to miss out on Russia as Northern Ireland lost 1-0 to Switzerland.
But the Southampton midfielder insists he’ll take positives from an upbeat qualifying campaign and Sunday’s scoreless draw in Basel.
He has also been impressed by the recent emergence of Millwall midfielder George Saville and Kilmarnock winger Jordan Jones who made his debut on Sunday. He said: “George was excellent in midfield in Bas Basel. And for J Jordan to come o on in a game of that magnitude and attack the f full-back the w way he did was very positive.
“We gave it absolutely everything we could and couldn’t have asked any more from anybody. I’m very proud of all the boys and I think they can all hold their heads up high.”
Meanwhile, QPR striker Conor Washington (inset) said: “The gaffer was in the dressing room after the Switzerland game telling players not to make any hasty decisions on the back of this result.
“Hopefully the lads do that because we have a great squad, a great team spirit and it’d be such a shame to break it up.”